Archaeology

The ancient hippodrome at Jerash, site of a plague-era mass grave. Credit: Karen Hendrix, University of Sydney.

Mass grave in Jerash, Jordan reveals the human cost of the Justinian Plague

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Researchers from the University of South Florida have identified the first burial site at the archaeological site of Jerash that has been confirmed both genetically and archaeologically as being linked to the Plague of Justinian. The findings not only confirm mass mortality, but also
Maya site from the Uaxactn region in Guatemala. Illustration: depositphotos.com

When the drought didn't appear: Lake sediments in Guatemala challenge the accepted explanation for the collapse of Maya civilization

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Ziggurat of Ur: A massive mud-brick temple built around 2100 BC, it towered over the city as a lasting symbol of devotion to the Mesopotamian moon god and the power of an early urban culture. Illustration: depositphotos.com

From the Tower of Babel to the Empire State Building

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Multidisciplinary study describes how the ziggurats of Mesopotamia influenced religious imagination, city-state power centers, and even modern architecture.
Ancient Roman amphitheater in Zippori. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Gallus Revolt 351–353 AD: The Last Jewish Rebellion Against Rome in Israel

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Between Messianic Expectations and the Weakness of the Empire: How a Limited Revolt Led to Severe Roman Oppression and a Careful Memory in Sage Sources
Ancient jars discovered on Dor Beach. Photo: University of Haifa

Iron Age ship cargoes uncovered at Dor port change the picture of Mediterranean trade

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Three underwater cargo complexes in the Dor Lagoon south of Haifa provide direct evidence of maritime trade between the 11th and 6th centuries BC, showing changing connections with Egypt, Cyprus, and the Phoenician coast.
The cover of Erich von Daniken's book Chariots of the Gods.

Carl Sagan versus the recently deceased Erich von Däniken: This is what a scientific critique of “ancient astronauts” looks like

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Sagan did not rule out intelligent life outside Earth, but attacked von Däniken for using weak “evidence” and “sloppy thinking” that turns mysteries into proofs.
View from Stora Förvar Cave on Stora Karlsö Island, Sweden. Credit: Jan Storå / Stockholm University

Remains of wolves from thousands of years ago on an isolated Baltic island suggest that humans brought them and managed their lives

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Genetic and isotopic analysis showed that these were gray wolves and not dogs, but their aquatic diet, low genetic variation, and signs of injury raise the possibility of ongoing contact with prehistoric communities.
A quarry on Easter Island with statues in various stages of construction. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Shocking new findings show that the moai statues of Easter Island were carved in dozens of different, competing workshops

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A 12-year-old figurine of a woman and a goose discovered in Ein Gev. Image credit: Laurent Davin

A 12-year-old figurine of a woman and a goose from Nahal Ein Gev: the world's oldest depiction of the bond between a human and an animal

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The Tova volcano and the lake at its foot. Illustration: depositphotos.com

74 years ago: One of the largest volcanoes on Earth erupted. How did humans survive?

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New research shows that the Toba volcano supereruption, despite its power, was probably not the only or main cause of the genetic bottleneck that characterizes the modern human population.
An oil press for producing oil in Tahara - a purification bath was discovered next to it at the site of the Samaritan mansion in Kafr Qasem. Emil Al-Jam, Israel Antiquities Authority

A magnificent Samaritan mansion with mosaics was uncovered in Kafr Qasem

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An excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered the remains of a magnificent agricultural estate with spectacular mosaic floors, a Greek blessing inscription, mikvahs, and a wine press – evidence of the wealth and prosperity of the Samaritan community in the area.
Ruins of the city of Troy, Kalkan, modern-day Turkey. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The Fall of Troy and Environmental Pressure: Lessons for Today

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Mass production, deforestation, and land exploitation pushed Troy to the brink of crisis as early as the Bronze Age – and history warns against unbridled growth
Credit: The silver hoard from Maras ad-Din, circa 600 BC - Photograph by Dr. Shai Bar

New research conducted at the University of Haifa: Silver was used as a means of payment in the Land of Israel more than a thousand years before the invention of currency

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Analysis of dozens of silver hoards from the Bronze and Iron Ages and 230 chemical samples shows an established weight economy, standards, and even counterfeits – from the 17th century BC to the 6th century BC; led by Dr. Tzilla Eshel
On the back of the coin is a lulav, flanked by two etrogs, and the inscription Year 4. Photo by Emil Aljam, Israel Antiquities Authority

"For the Salvation of Zion": A rare coin from the fourth year of the Great Revolt was discovered in Jerusalem

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A bronze coin minted by Jews in Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple was uncovered during excavations conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority in cooperation with the City of David and the Quarter Restoration and Development Company, at the Jerusalem Archaeological Park – Davidson Center.
New findings from a Pleistocene site in southwestern China reveal the oldest known use of carefully crafted wooden tools in East Asia, dating back more than 350,000 years. Credit: Liu et al., 10.1126/science.adr8540.

Extraordinary discovery in China: 300,000-year-old wooden tools change what we thought about early humans

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Dozens of carefully crafted wooden tools for digging and processing plants have been discovered at a Pleistocene site in southwestern China – indicating a technology far more complex than that attributed to early populations in East Asia.
Ruins of the Palenque temple created by the Mayan culture in Mexico. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Ancient DNA reveals secrets of the rise and fall of the Classic Maya

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Researchers from Trinity University in Ireland have succeeded in reconstructing the genome of the Mayans from Copan, Honduras, and have discovered surprising genetic connections with central Mexico — a finding that indicates migration processes, cultural influences, and demographic changes during the Mesoamerica period.
Illustration of the altar. Credit: Heather Hurst

Rewriting Mayan history: Archaeologists uncover hidden altar at Tikal

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1,600-year-old altar reveals Teotihuacan rule in central Maya city
The ancient sling stones: the earliest evidence of warfare in the region. Photo by Emil Elgem, Antiquities Authority

Research: already 7,200 years ago there was mass and planned production of weapons of war in Israel

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A study by the Antiquities Authority, recently published in the journal Atiqot 111, reveals the earliest evidence of organized fighting and arming in the Land of Israel in particular and the southern Levant in general
Reconstruction of a Neanderthal family in the Neanderthal Museum in Croatia. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The encounter between Neanderthals and modern man as told by their genomes

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The famous prehistoric rock paintings of Tsili N'Air, Algeria. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The evolutionary changes following the extinction of the large animals

The need to hunt small animals caused prehistoric man to improve his mental abilities in order to perfect his hunting tools
The historical partial terraces in the Jordan Valley. Illustration: Prof. Yigal Aral, Hebrew University

The beginning of the agricultural revolution - the National Science Foundation

Dust that came from the Sahara and Saudi Arabia about 11,000 years ago - contributed to the development of agriculture in the Jordan Valley
The excavation site at Tel Tivneh. Photo: Shahar Cohen, Ariel Zion for Bar Ilan University

A magnificent building from the Second Temple period was uncovered in Tel-Tavna

In the archaeological excavation project that took place, for the second year in Tel Tabna, findings were discovered that indicate, among other things, the use of the area as an administrative regional center in the Roman period.
A scene demonstrating what the Neolithic period looked like. Created using Dali 2

A study conducted in Morocco found genetic kinship between African hunter-gatherers, European farmers and shepherds from the Mazat

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This complex interaction of cultures between 5500 and 4500 BC in the Maghreb region led to exchanges of knowledge, cultural changes and mutual genetic influences
The gate looking at. Photo by Emil Algam, Antiquities Authority.

In Kiryat Gat, the oldest gate in Israel was discovered

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In an excavation by the Antiquities Authority prior to the construction of a Mekorot company water line in the Kiryat Gat area, an ancient gate was discovered, approximately 5,500 years old * This gate was part of the fortification system of one of the hills

A divine staff with surprising decorations from about 3,200 years ago was uncovered in a Canaanite temple in Tel Lakish

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Findings from the Ein Kashish excavation. Above - animal bones. Below - items carved from flint. Photo - Prof. Arala Hobars

The Neanderthals lived in stable settlement systems for a long time before disappearing from our region

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The special role of pigeons in turning the Negev green 1500 years ago

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Mycelia's jaw. Courtesy of Tel Aviv University.

The oldest human fossil outside of Africa is found in Israel

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Returning pigeons in the fields of a tribe - once all this was an agricultural field. Source: Prof. Guy Bar Oz.

The rodent bones tell the story of the flourishing Negev 1,500 years ago

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Illustration: pixabay.

For the first time: the bones of an ancient elk were found in the Jordan Valley

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A skull from Jebel Ayehud. Source: Ryan Somma.

Fossils from Morocco complicate the story of the origin of modern man

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The photos of the mosaic and the excavation, with the participation of the high school students for environmental education in Sde Boker. Photo: Assaf Peretz, Antiquities Authority.

Remains of a magnificent 1,500-year-old monastery and church were uncovered in Beit Shemesh

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Prof. Elisabetta Boerto and Dr. Tobias Richter look to the horizon at the Shubeika 1 excavation site - about 150 km northeast of Ravet Ammon. Source: Weizmann Institute magazine.

Herb remains shed new light on the development of the agricultural revolution

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: A complete candle from the Abbasid period found in the garbage pit and decorated with vine clusters and birds. Eliyahu Yanai, courtesy of the City of David.

A 1,000-year-old eggplant was discovered in excavations in Jerusalem

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A Byzantine inscription in Greek was discovered near the Nablus Gate in Jerusalem

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Reconstruction of the biblical persimmon perfume, from the exhibition "Jerusalem: A Medical Diagnosis Exhibition", 2014. Photo: Deror avi / Wikimedia.

The mystery of the secret perfume

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Evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians was uncovered in the City of David

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The water reservoir - a view from the inside. Photo: Assaf Peretz, Antiquities Authority.

An impressive 2700-year-old water plant was uncovered in Rosh Ha'Ain

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Mitvan fabrics, made of wool and decorated with red and blue stripes. Photo: Clara Amit, courtesy of the Antiquities Authority.

Evidence of the use of dyeing plants in textiles from the days of Kings David and Solomon

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Women's jewelry found in the Crusader tower kitchen. Photo: Vared Busiden, Israel Antiquities Authority.

900-year-old women's jewelry was uncovered in the kitchen of an ancient Crusader tower

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Remains of the fortification tower. The foundation stones were laid only in the Iron Age. Source: Weizmann Institute magazine.

The Fortified Tower in Jerusalem was built 1,000 years later than archaeologists had previously estimated

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The students of Shalah reveal the ancient facilities in the Khokov ruins. Photo: Anastasia Shapiro, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

An ancient industrial area was uncovered in student excavations in Hakok in the Galilee

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Illustration: Charles R. Knight, 1920.

"Cavemen"? Not necessarily

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Archaeological excavation within the layers of garbage from the ancient Roman period. Photography: Assaf Peretz.

Research: What did the Jerusalemites eat in the 1st century AD

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Skull of a mouse. Source: Photo courtesy of Haifa University.

The house mice's teeth revealed: Man settled in permanent settlements 3,000 years before the time it was common to think

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The dolmen is 4,000 years old this year. Photo: Gonen Sharon, Tel Hai Academic College.

A rare ancient and mysterious over 4,000-year-old dolmen decorated with ancient rock art has been uncovered

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A look through the microscope revealed: the flint blades are actually the oldest sickle blades in the world

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Findings of 400-year-old human teeth from Kesem Cave - credit Prof. Israel Hershkowitz

Another proof of the early use of fire: remains of coal and plant food in the tartar of human teeth from 400 thousand years ago

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The king is on the right next to him the opening inscription with the name and title of the king. From an archaeological excavation in Aleppo, Anchi Tai(thea) the hero, the Palestinian king =

Prof. Gershon Galil, University of Haifa: Evidence of the existence of kings mentioned in the description of King David's wars in the book of Samuel has been discovered

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A coin from the reign of King Antiochus III. Photo: Clara Amit, courtesy of the Antiquities

A 2300-year-old rural settlement was uncovered next to the 'Burma Road'

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